Afternoon

E-Ram, 3.30 PM, many cars, very few pedestrians, a U-turn just before the checkpoint open and working. Our friend A. informs us that for a few hours one soldier, known for his extreme brutal behaiour, has been hunting yellow plated taxis (twenty already) and forcing them to drive towards Ramalla. Qalandya South, 3.50 PM (checkpoint will remain open until 9 PM we are told) A lot of confusion, many cars, pedestrians passing fairly quickly (blue, orange and green IDs alike, not checked, all seem to be able to pass northwards) while the company commander and the notorious soldier chase taxis, Morris confiscates the IDs, orders the taxi to go towards the checkpoint. There they will receive their IDs if they cross northwards. The company commander explains that they create traffic jams, and that as he 'can't' puncture their tires, or ask the police to come as he would had they been Israeli, he is only left with this last educational resort, to punish them by sending them there, he is quite aware they'll come back, but he hopes they'll learn their lesson and only stop in the parking lot he assigned to them. A tried to reason with him. "Where else would a taxi stop but when he is hailed, that it is only for a second", but he refused to listen and insisted that it created "disorder". Qalandya North, 4.30 PM.Rude, impatient, patronizing, obtuse and very racist soldiers. The girl volunteer behaves better than the rest. She also introduces herself: (I'm 26, I'm a volunteer, I share your views, I'm left, I'm not like these stupid young Arab haters). 23 detained men, passed through the quarry, different versions as to how long they have been standing there, however all in time receive their IDs back and sent away. Only one desperately tried to seep through the 'law'. He said that he lives in Anata, 10 minutes away, however his ID indicates he lives in NablusTwo young guys were not allowed through, and sent back by the 'leftist' volunteer.They are brothers living in Beit Hanina, who were in Ramalla and now wanted to return home. The elder brother, blue ID, is allowed, however the younger one, is not allowed, the reason being he didn't have an ID. What he does have is an application form from two years ago for getting one, his Bethlehem student card with an up to date photograph (he is currently studying Hotel management) and his mother's ID with his name on it, all to prove that though he doesn't have a card yet he is in fact from Beit Hanina. He couldn't explain why his ID card hadn't been issued. We called the company commander, who answered the phone, asked him to come North and help us out, which he did. After listening to them,he let them through, we thanked him profusely.Qalandya South, 5.40 PMBy now the taxi hunt is carried out by more soldiers, more aggressively, two soldiers with pointed guns chasing a Transit this time, banging on it to open the door, which they did. E-Ram, 7 PMMany cars, the ordinary pace, very few pedestrians, no honking.